Terms+-+Abrahamic+religions.pdf

Religious Studies 1022: Perplexing Issues
Key Concepts of Abrahamic Religions
With thanks to Many Peoples, Many Faiths by Robert Ellwood & Barbara McGraw, as well as other sources
(Please note, this list is not exhaustive. Be sure to take notes during the lecture.)
Allah ‘The God’ – Quranic designation for the one God
Animism Belief in spirits – theory that religion originated in reverence for spirits of living
beings and inanimate objects
Bible From the Greek biblia, meaning ‘book(s)’ – Sacred scriptures for Christians
consisting of the Christian Old/First Testamenta s well as the New/Second
Testament. Note: Jewish scriptures also referred to as the Jewish Bible, though
there are distinct differences between the Jewish and Christian Bibles
Canon a standard – refers to the accepted writings that comprise sacred scripture
Covenant berith (Hebrew) – relationship between God and Israel, enacted on Mt Sinai,
based on Israel’s acceptance of God’s Torah – see lecture notes
Diaspora ‘dispersion’ ‘scattering’ – the dispersion of Jews away from the Jewish
homeland to live as minorities in other lands
Eschatology doctrine/teaching about the last things – the end of the world, judgment day, etc
Apocalypse (Greek) – ‘uncover’ ‘reveal’
Apocalyptic eschatology Revealed teachings about the end times
Epistle ‘letter’ (Greek) – In the Christian tradition, letters written between key early
Christian leaders (notably Paul) to Christian communities they founded, usually
offering advice, encouragement and theological reflection. The Christian Bible
recognizes 21 canonical epistles, 2/3 of which are attributed to Paul.
Five Pillars Required Muslim rituals of serving God, including: Shahada (confession), Salat
(prayer), Zakat (alms-giving), Sawm (fasting) and Hajj (pilgrimage)
Gemara Comments on the Mishna – added to the Mishnah to form the Jewish Talmud –
the part of the Talmud that is a collection of rabbinical commentaries on the
Mishah (oral Torah) in order to connect it to the written Torah
Gospel ‘good news’ (Greek) – writings compiled in the early Christian church
proclaiming the story of Jesus’ life, teachings and death. The four canonical
gospels are Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Hadith A saying or tradition of the Prophet Muhammad transmitted through a
trustworthy chain of reporters – the collection of hadiths – Traditions of what the
Prophet Muhammad did or said which, in Islamic law and traditional
scholarship, are believed to be divinely inspired and have great authority,
together with the Qur’an, in establishing orthodox teaching and practice.
Hagar Mother of Ishmael (by Abraham/Ibrahim) and ancestress of the Muslims
Hajj Annual pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia
Halakhah Jewish legal tradition based on the Talmud – part of the Talmud devoted to
Hebrew law
Haggadah The part of the Jewish Talmud devoted to folklore and stories
Imam Islamic scholar and leader, especially in ritual prayer
Iman ‘faith’ – complete certitude about the truth of Islam
Ishmael Son of Abraham and Hagar, ancestor of the Muslims
Isaac Son of Abraham and Sarah, ancestor/patriarch of the Jews
Mosque Place of communal worship in Islam – also known as masjid
Monism View that all reality is one unified divine reality
Moses Leader of Israel in the Exodus from Egypt and the founding of the covenan